Michael Hole

Michael Hole
Michael Hole
Occupation	Jockey
Born	March 29, 1941; Canterbury, England
Died	April 22, 1976 (age 34); Jones Beach, New York
Career wins	2042
Major racing wins
	Princeton Handicap (1967); Jersey Derby (1969); New York Stakes (1969) ; Orange Bowl Handicap (1969); Salvator Mile Handicap (1969) ; Canadian Turf Handicap (1971); Comely Stakes (1971); Gazelle Handicap (1971); Jim Dandy Stakes (1971); Longfellow Handicap (1971); Monmouth Oaks (1971, 1973); Everglades Stakes (1972, 1973, 1975); Lamplighter Stakes (1972) ; Amory L. Haskell Handicap (1972); Colonial Handicap (1973); Governor Stakes (1974); Marlboro Cup Handicap (1974); Molly Pitcher Stakes (1974) ; Roseben Handicap (1974); Westchester Handicap (1974); Derby Trial Stakes (1975); Fashion Stakes (1975); Sorority Stakes (1975); Spinaway Stakes (1975) ; Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (1975); Astoria Stakes (1975); Bahamas Stakes (1975); Debutante Stakes (1975); Oak Leaf Stakes (1975); Grey Lag Handicap (1976)
Racing awards
	Leading jockey at Monmouth Park (1970)
Significant horses
	Big Spruce, Dearly Precious,; Desert Vixen, Forward Gal, In Reality

Michael "Mike" Hole (March 29, 1941 – April 22, 1976) was a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing.

Born in Canterbury, England, Michael Hole moved to the United States in 1961 where he rode professionally for fourteen years, winning 2042 races while riding horses to earnings of US$13,520,479. He was a regular rider at NYRA tracks in New York and at Monmouth Park Racetrack, Garden State Park Racetrack, and the Atlantic City Race Course in New Jersey. In winter, Michael Hole relocated to Florida where he competed at Tropical Park, Hialeah Park and at Gulfstream Park.

In the U.S. Triple Crown series, Michael Hole rode in three Kentucky Derbys with his best result a fifth-place finish in 1973. He finished tenth in the 1970 Preakness Stakes. Among his early major wins, Michael Hole captured the 1969 Jersey Derby aboard Al Hattab.^[1] In 1971, he took over as the regular rider of the 1970 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Forward Gal, piloting her to wins in the Comely Stakes, Gazelle Handicap, Monmouth Oaks and the Betsy Ross Handicap. In 1975, Michael Hole was the principal rider of Dearly Precious, helping to guide her to that year's Eclipse Award as the American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly.

On May 11, 1968, Michael Hole rode four winners on a single race card at Suffolk Downs^[2] then did it for the second time on January 3, 1970, at Gulfstream Park and for a third time at Aqueduct Racetrack on November 6, 1974. His most successful winning day came on November 8, 1969, at Garden State Park when he rode five winners of which four came in succession.^[3]

^ Cady, Steve (31 May 1939). "Al Hattab, $13.80, Equals Mark In Taking $137,100 Jersey Derby". New York Times Co. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
^ "BRITISH JOCKEY WINS 4 RACES AT SUFFOLK". Subscription needed. 11 May 1968. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
^ Cady, Steve (9 November 1969). "FAST ATTACK TAKES GARDENIA; Favored Predictable Is 4th In $200,445 Jersey Race". New York Times Company. Retrieved 8 November 2009.

[1] Cady, Steve (31 May 1939). "Al Hattab, $13.80, Equals Mark In Taking $137,100 Jersey Derby". New York Times Co. Retrieved 8 November 2009.

[2] "BRITISH JOCKEY WINS 4 RACES AT SUFFOLK". Subscription needed. 11 May 1968. Retrieved 8 November 2009.

[3] Cady, Steve (9 November 1969). "FAST ATTACK TAKES GARDENIA; Favored Predictable Is 4th In $200,445 Jersey Race". New York Times Company. Retrieved 8 November 2009.

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